Sin's In

GAME: Malik casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 11 DC: 15
GAME: Morgan casts Overland Flight. Caster Level: 12 DC: 23

Outside the town of Buawl there is a sign that says 'Welcome to Maradran'. It's clearly been freshly painted over by a talented hand in the last few weeks or so. Someone has also clearly been out to wash the sign every day since then as it's still clean of dirt. There are rows of flowers everywhere blooming all out of season and in spite of the cold. It's still daytime when you arrive, and the community is bustling. Everyone seems quite happy, children play in the streets. There's a group of women with newborns sitting outside an in drinking tea and talking about their children. Everyone pauses briefly to wave hello to you.

In other words it looks absolutely peaceful. No sign what-so-ever that there's anything untoward going on here. You are definitely getting some looks though. All of them politely curious. Nobody stops you though. Nobody seems inclined to do anything more than give you sideways glances.

"So," Malik says, walking beside Seldan. "Let me see if I understand this. We went to the plane of fire, and I agreed to trade my memories of it to this -- creature," he begins. "In exchange for its precise location. When we get there, we find carnage and a lippy adolescent demon of some nature, and a recording of Zehier the wizard, while bypassing his traps and various minions. And we come out -- infected with the plague?" He eyes the paladin curiously. "I'm not sure why you let me -do- that," he teases, "but don't let me do that again. I clearly have poor judgment." The tsuran, for all his quiet grin, though, has been tense for the entire trip, fidgeting in little ways and more talkative than usual. Especially as they come up on the town. He stiffens a little, as if waiting for something to drop. Or maybe some memory to come back.

GAME: {*} Seldan rolls wisdom: (20)+3: 23

Hun'rar gladly smiles and waves back at the people in the town, happy as a clam to see such a peaceful and picturesque scene. He may also be smiling because he is sporting some brand spankin' new polished adamantine armor, still in the dragon scheme of a dark red color. "Blessings of Gilead." he calls out politely to those nearby.

"I trusted that you knew what you were doing, Malik," Seldan answers mildly, his Myrrish-tinted words light. "I have since learnt the error of my ways in doing so." He surveys the town thoughtfully, but all hint of smile fades at the scrawl-out of the town name and its replacement. He himself is much lower in profile than Hun'rar, although his affiliation with the Dreaming Goddess is plain in his attire. "Maradran. Maraiel - and Eclavdran. Ware you," he murmurs to the others, keeping his voice low.

Morgan gives people nods and smiles but keeps to the group "Well today will be something. But I am sad I missed the trip to the plane of fire." She does take time to study the buildings

Halani snaps up to her feet quickly, almost knocking over the stool she was sitting on outside of one of the homes closest to the town's entrance, as obvious adventurers start to show up. Well, more obvious adventurers. She quickly offers thanks to a fellow there for letting her use her porch, puts a fist in one hand in front of her chest and bows politely to him, then hops down to the ground and makes her way over to the approaching people. Well, starts to approach. Halfway there she pauses, her face scrunching up as if she's trying to pull her nose back into her face.... and then she sneezes. And not one of those cute little 'pew' sneezes either. It's full bodied, the kind that starts right in the toes and wages a war of pillaging and conquest all the way up along the spine to explode out of the face. It takes her a second to recover from this. Then.. she wipes at her nose, rubs at her eyes... and finishes joining up with Hun'rar, Malik, Morgan and Seldan.

Hun'rar's greeting gets a /lot/ of laughs, and usually the response is a return of. "Blessings of the Two upon you!" Though which two they mean is.... not immediately clear. Not until you round the inn and find yourselves in the center of the village. There they are in the process of setting up a huge statue. The statue is of a statuesque woman that has only the faintest representation of a head. The statue comes to a point at the bottom, and there are several people holding bouquets of flowers patiently waiting for the statue to be put in place. Which it is, and once its in place the flowers are quickly set to adorn it. One of the men observing this is wearing a little badge that says 'mayor' on it quite proudly, and he notices you right away.

Seeing you, he waves at the men who were putting the statue up, and comes to you by himself. "Hello, and blessings of the Two upon you. How might I help you? This town is having no troubles that need adventurers to clean it up." He smiles.

Malik is -not- the one that should be talking to strangers. The mouth on the man, and the trouble it can get him in, is legendary. Instead, he just nods politely, hanging back and letting those who are better with words do the talking as he gives the newest member of the party a curious glance, then gives Seldan a small smile, tapping at his temple in that 'now you are catching on' sort of way.

Hun'rar looks up at the statue "Good Morning, never heard of the Two, popular here to worship them?" he asks with sincere curiosity. "What can you tell me about them, might leave a prayer myself if they envoke such a peaceful existence as seen here." he adds with a smile. "Lovely town Mr. Mayor, sir."

"Do not be," Seldan answers Morgan, quietly, keeping his voice down. "The sights were beautiful, and mighty, but the ending proved ... difficult." A wealth of understatement sits on that word like a portly matron on a hammock. When Halani joins them, threatening to blow herself backwards into the nearest wall with a mighty sneeze, he frowns, but before he can answer, they are greeted, in a most interesting fashion. "The Two?" His companions have the questioning covered, so he contents himself with looking around at the people around them, eyes unfocusing as he does so.

Morgan lets the others to talk as she knows she will slip up and say something rude. When Hun'rar talks she agrees with him as she wants to retire at a place like this. She then looks to Seldan "Well I do know a lot of the plane that could of helped you."

Halani waves weakly to Seldan but takes his cue and doesn't say anything, putting herself just a little bit away from the group. Possibly to avoid making a mess on anyone. Though she does look at Hun'rar out of the corner of her eye, like she's trying not to be obvious about how she's keeping everyone between him and her. She sniffles, once, then shifts and looks closely at the statue for the first time. She tilts her head one way, then the other, then offers says in a somewhat nasaly, stuffed up voice, "I don't get it. Only see one. Where's the other one?"

"Of course /you/ haven't. Great word of their workings hasn't gone that far outside the village I don't think, but that's as it is. They don't mind being a secret to their loyal few." He winks. "If you're interested in converting though, you might speak to Father Mathus." He points to one of the men who'd been working to put up the statue.

Father Mathus is a rather impressively built older man. He looks like he might be fifty, but it's a good fifty. The years haven't been unkind to him at all. He waves back to the mayor but doesn't approach you. Instead the mayor answers Halani. "We had a vote on what kind of statue to put in place, and we all decided that one of the blessed Maraiel was most suiting. It /is/ beautiful isn't it?" He sighs happily at the statue.

"Ah," Malik says. "Low-key gods. The kind that don't like a lot of attention from worshippers. Except for just that small handful." He nods, glancing over to Seldan to try and gauge the man's reaction, though he looks down at his sleeve, seeing something on it that makes him frown a bit and look up to Halani before wiping it off, flicking his fingers a bit. "Of all the things I thought to bring," he laughs, "a handkerchief wasn't one of them."

Hun'rar ponders that for a moment "Well that sounds like just the thing then, I am sure the folks at the temple will want to hear about a new deity or aspect of a deity has emerged." he says politely before making his way over to Father Mathus.

The unfocused look that Seldan wears as he looks over the crowd and the people is very, very weird. Is he all right? After about twenty seconds, though, he shakes his head sharply as if to clear it, his eyes on Father Mathus, his focus suddenly sharpened. "Maraiel, the blessed mate of Eclavdran, is she not? Yes, I would be most interested in speaking with Father Mathus."

Morgan listens to what is being said as she was about to let others speak but when Seldan asks something as she was about to add more to what he asks and its seen on her face. "That is the simple of it..." she shuts up so the priest can tell him more.

Halani mutters a low "sorry" to Malik, rubbing her sleeve across the bottom of her nose again, then turns her slightly red-shot eyes on the statue and the townies gathered around it. And on Father Mathus. And then on the mayor. "So who's the other... oh." See, she pays attention, and when Seldan shows he knows what he's talking about, the modifies her question. "What's an eclavadrian look like?"

"Oh! So you /do/ know something of them. Right over here then, I'm sure Father Mathus will answer your questions." The mayor leads you over to the older man as he puts on an extra shirt for warmth now that they've finished moving the statue and he smiles at the mayor. He doesn't smile at you. Instead he looks at you with that same far-away gaze that Seldan had briefly and kind of frowns a little. Then he offers something of a ghost of a smile, but only to Halani, Malik, and Morgan.

"Afternoon. How can I help you?" He waits for your questions and then meets Seldan's gaze. "I won't have any trouble here, we're peacefully abiding folk. And we've no trouble for your sort. So we'd appreciate it if you'd move along rather than questioning our faith. Isn't that right Mayor?"

The mayor blinks a few times in surprise but nods. "Yes, of course."

Malik tenses at something Seldan says, looking to the others briefly as the mayor and the priest speak. "Servants of the Temples tend to be the exact opposite of trouble," he tells the priest. "Pious, those sorts. You can't get them to cross the street against the crowd if you're in a hurry. It can be incredibly annoying. I don't think you have anything to fear." But his tone is flat, and he holds Father Mathus' gaze, almost like a subtle challenge.

GAME: Hun'rar rolls knowledge/religion: (16)+19: 35

Hun'rar looks at Seldan before realization hits him when he says the name. "Oh..." he then looks back at the statue "Oh, okay. So Seldan... this is... a prickly pickle aint it?" he says as they walk up to the priest. Hun'rar still smiles when he approached the man. "Hello!" he says with a cheer he no longer feels.

"Your faith, Father, I am most certain of, and you have offered us nothing save peace." Seldan's smile is gracious, and as friendly as a shark, with fewer teeth. "I guess you the spiritual leader of this town, then? You must have a most interesting tale. I would hear of how this town came to worship the Two." He does not look at the others directly. "A prickly pickle? Certainly there is an interesting tale to be heard. But ... I think my companion knows perhaps more than I." His gaze goes to Morgan, curiously, but only briefly.

Halani face twists up a little. Maybe it's her current state of unwellness. Maybe it's the tension in the air. The frown that follows is definitely the frown of someone who knows she's the only one who doesn't know what's going on, a fact betrayed by her eyes moving back and forth between, well, everyone.

Morgan shrugs "I am a Loremaster but religion is one of my lesser known set of knowledges that I know." She hopes that does not sound like bragging.

"I think not." Says the priest, eyes narrow on Seldan. He doesn't want to explain himself that much is clear, but the mayor smiles and shakes his head.

"Of course we can Mathus! Why this town was on the brink of destruction. It was beset by illness and monsters and all sorts of things. We prayed to the gods for salvation but there was no answer. Then, Sindri came. Sindri promised us that all we need do was turn our worship to a better power. We didn't believe at first, but a few were desperate enough to try anything. When those few found answers the rest of us joined in and we've been prosperous ever since. A rash of marriages and births, and wellbeing has found us since turning to our new worship."

Hun'rar chuckles lightly before breaking into full throat laughters. "Wow, what a story." he says catching his breath. "I mean... I don't doubt your voracity but when beset with evil, evil suddenly disappears when called upon! Imagine that..." he says shaking his head "Its a tragedy that you were beset with trouble, there is much suffering in this world and the gods cannot answer all prayers. But this place is a proverbial time bomb." he says examining the town with new realization and caring little for who he offends.

Halani raises a hand slowly. "Uh... heya.. if this one.. ah.. if I give them flowers and dance and bow a bit to them, can they get rid of this awful flu?" she asks, rubbing at her nose again for emphasis. Yep, she's definitely not as clued in as some of the others into what's going on here.

Seldan looks over at Hun'rar. "Yes, there is a great deal of suffering in this world, and this town was in need of help. And a Duke of the Hells does indeed wield great power. But it is as my companion says." Now the steel in his tone makes itself known, although he spares a moment for Halani. "Gird yourself, my friend. I will aid you as I can, when this is done. "Sindri has no doubt aided you a great deal, but she asks no price at all?"

The priest's eyes fall on Halani and he offers her a bright smile, waving away Seldan's words. "Does your god ask nothing of you? Not your service nor your life's effort? Pah, stop questioning the faithful, begone with you. But /you/." He offers his hand to Halani. "Come with me child, I will heal your sickness, and all I will ask is that you leave this place in peace; or stay in peace." He motions Halani toward the church which you now have noticed is across the square.

Meanwhile the mayor looks very displeased with Seldan. "Come on, I think it's time the rest of you went. How rude. I'd heard that you adventurers cared about nothing but yourselves but... How dare you?" He shoos at you. "Go away somewhere you're wanted."

"Does that ever work?" Malik asks the Mayor in turn, raising a curious eyebrow. "Telling people to go where they're wanted? It's a very curious world that you live in, if it does." Glancing between Hun'rar, Halani, Morgan, and Seldan, he asks, "So shall I get us a table? Make tea? It seems that we have an awful lot of discussion to do, and I am tired of standing. Unless the discussion is over."

Morgan is just listening as she has nothing to input here.

Halani actually takes a step towards the priest... maybe the bug she's caught isn't letting her think straight. Or maybe it's just that horrible. But Seldan's restraining words sink in, and she looks at him, then at the priest and the temple, then she sighs and settles back onto her heels. "Duke of the hells..." she mutters. Falls quiet as Malik gives his own insight and makes his offer, then she asks somewhat regretfully, "Is this where we start.." She trails off, then punches one hand into her other palm a few times.

"I will wager that neither Father Mathus, nor Sindri, wish to see the likes of me." Seldan's Myrrish accent fades, his words steel and stone, and he raises his voice for all to hear. "For by the holy wisdom of Eluna the Seeress, I name Sindri a servant of Eclavdran, a Duke of Hell, and his mate Maraiel, and I name Father Mathus a servant of demons who would hold this town in thrall. Yes, you know me, and I feel your evil as surely as my own breath. Let the Mayor and the people of this town be."

Hun'rar takes a deep breath and bows his head "My sincerest apologies at my outburts, I laughed at the absurdity of the situation and not the terrible situation all these people found themselves in. What I see here, around me is love and truly I hope it is heart felt and sincere. Love for each other, for ones children... and yet.." he turns back to face the priest. "...love, selfless love, is anathema to evil. At best everyone has sold their souls to eternal torment in the Iron Hells at worst... "he takes a deep breath. "...the bill will come due. It always comes due and when it does, we will gladly help."

Father Mathus shrugs, at least until Seldan speaks up and then he glowers at the other man. People stop in the street and stare. Children cease to play and their parents usher them inside. The mayor is apparently done with you. He waves a hand to the men who were putting up the statue. "That's /enough/ of that. These men are my offical deputies, and as the mayor of this town I /demand/ you leave by right of Alexandrian law. Youre not welcome here." He's talking to Seldan mostly, but the rest of you are in there somewhere. At least until Father Mathus leans in and whispers something in his ear.

The men make a few menacing steps toward the group of you, but the mayor holds up his hand. "The three of you can stay." He points to Halini, Morgan, and Malik. "The rest of you should take your leave."

"Yea... this is where we start punching things," Halani confirms her own question, almost regretfully, as Seldan makes his declaration and Hun'rar his... offer? Another sniff, another sleeve-rub... and then her hands curl swiftly into fists, one finger at a time, pinky to index to thumb. "This one appreciates the offer, Father," she says to the priest, somewhat formally, "but this one thinks your price will be too much to pay." Well, yeah, of course she thinks that /now/.

Morgan sighs, "And to think I am the one that pisses people off with my mouth." She then realises she has to be nice but is glad that Halani can do the talking.

"We are not going anywhere," Malik tells them in turn. "So I see this going one of two ways. Diplomatically," he suggests, "or the much more fun way in which we try to figure out who can poke the most holes in the other." The bow in his hand looks like it's meant for more than just show, as do the arrows on his back. He gives a one-shouldered shrug. "If you care about your men, you'll let us do our investigation. If not -- well. It won't be the first bodies I've left behind on duty."

Hun'rar raises an eyebrow "What Alexandrian laws have we broken? You might not like us but that is not a crime." he says shaking his head before leaning over to Halani "Good choice, they serve evil. They do not offer true healing." he turns back to face the Mayor and his people. "I am not here to hurt anyone and nobody needs to get hurt."

"Yes, that fits. You know who the servants of the Light are among us, and it is they that you banish." Seldan doesn't move. Not yet. "Even so, it is as my companion says. I still do not intend harm to you, or to your people. Your people are in need of help, and not from demons."

GAME: Seldan rolls diplomacy+3: (18)+15+3: 36
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+22: (11)+22: 33

"If you will not leave then I am officially placing you under arrest for disturbing the peace, and threatening my men!" The mayor glares at Malik and his men are ready for the fight now, reaching out to clasp you up if you don't resist, and take you down if you do. They... hesitate at Seldan's words however. So does the mayor. At least until the priest whispers in his ear something that makes him frown deeply. "Just... /go/." He sounds disgusted, but his words cause the priest to frown a little, as if that wasn't what he expected the mayor to say.

Hun'rar looks at Seldan "Come on, we don't want to start trouble." he says very carefully giving him a look. "Besides there are plenty of worse evils for us to deal with." he says with a smile, although he is lying and very poorly at that. "Lets find a place we can sit and have a bite."

"It is a bit late for that, I think, but he has the right to demand we leave," Seldan nods agreement with Hun'rar. "I acknowledge that right, whatever I may think of his choices. A bite to eat sounds like a wise idea. Let us go." He looks over at Halani. "And I will do what I can for you, as soon as I may."

Malik very slightly turns his head at the cues from the paladins, but offers a shrug, turning on his heel and heading out with the others.

Halani slowly uncurls her fingers when violence seems not quite so imminent. Maybe her shoulders relax a little bit as well. She half turns to follow when the paladins agree to leave, almost following Malik.. but she hesitates. "Heya.. I could just stay, maybe slip in long enough to... you know.." Then she sighs. She nods a thankful if kind of morose nod to Seldan's offer, looks back at the mayor and priest. "So... thanks for the sweet bun, yeah? It was pretty good." The snack one of the villagers gave her when she first arrived. Then she fully turns to follow the others, picking up her pace enough to catch up. "Hey... remember that time you barfed up that black slime and got it all over me? I think that made me sick..."

-TBC